You were lucky, Benitez! Fergie fires up Rafa rivalry as old foe checks in at Chelsea

Rafael Benitez had been back in work for only 24 hours and his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson was firmly back on the agenda.

The new Chelsea manager clashed
famously and publicly with Ferguson when Liverpool tried — and failed —
to beat Manchester United to the 2008-09 Barclays Premier League title.

Old foes: Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson have had their fare share of battles over the years

At times it got a little personal and
Ferguson clearly has not forgotten, greeting news of Benitez’s
appointment on an interim basis at Stamford Bridge with a rather
withering assessment.

Speaking at his weekly press
conference yesterday, the United manager was asked about Chelsea’s
decision to dispense with Roberto Di Matteo and said: ‘Everyone feels
for him and quite rightly.

‘It’s amazing that you win the FA Cup and the Champions League and are sacked.

‘The biggest disappointment for me is
that, in two weeks’ time, they go to the (Club World Cup). You’d think
they would give the guy the chance to win a world championship.

‘Rafa Benitez is very lucky because
on his c.v. in two weeks’ time he could have two world championships to
his name — and he had nothing to do with the teams.

‘Jose Mourinho won the treble after
going to Inter Milan. Rafa then took over and won a world championship
without having to do anything.

‘He had nothing to do with the construction of the teams and that’s where I feel real disappointment for Roberto Di Matteo.

Red to Blue: Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has taken the reins at Chelsea

‘He could have on his c.v. an FA Cup, a Champions League and a world club championship. It’s a pity for him.’

Benitez and Ferguson experienced an honest tussle for the 2009 league title but it turned ugly when the then Liverpool manager accused his rival of exerting undue influence on referees and the authorities.Ferguson won that battle but is steeling himself for another with the Spaniard.

‘He has been looking for a job for a long time,’ Ferguson said. ‘I just hope he is as lucky when he plays Manchester City on Sunday.’

Speaking before Mark Hughes was sacked as manager of today’s Old Trafford opponents Queens Park Rangers, Ferguson lamented the precarious nature of management.

Asked if Chelsea would have won more than three league titles under owner Roman Abramovich had the Russian not sacked as many managers, Ferguson said: ‘That’s a good question. Longevity helps but Chelsea have had a lot of success. There are a lot of teams who have spent a lot of money and won nothing.

‘When Mourinho went there Chelsea’s expectations went up, there is no doubt about that. That is what we are looking at now. The expectation is not being able to match Mourinho’s achievements.

‘Rafa accepting this job is proof that someone always wants a job. Rafa Benitez is prepared to take it short term. It shows you his eagerness to get back in. Football people are like that.‘It is not an easy job today. Expectation levels are never met.’

Ferguson yesterday welcomed the FA’s decision not to charge referee Mark Clattenburg, accused by Chelsea of making racist remarks to John Mikel Obi during their defeat by United this season.

‘I didn’t believe it anyway,’ he said. ‘Mark has had to carry this stain on his character for weeks and everybody in the game is pleased for him, apart from Chelsea.’

Boost: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney (centre) is available to face QPR this weekend

Ferguson's side are up against bottom club QPR 24 hours before city and Chelsea clash and Rooney is available following a bout of tonsillitis.

The England striker sat out last weekend's defeat at Norwich due to the problem and was rested for the Champions League tie away to Galatasaray.

Ferguson also said Chris Smalling was fit for action following a shoulder problem, and that defender Jonny Evans was training again but would not feature against QPR.

We've heard Fergie on Rafa! Here's what Jose has to say to Benitez (sort of)